Families make annual Niles trek for perfect holiday tree

November 30, 2009|By HEIDI PRESCOTT Tribune Staff Writer

NILES -- Up a wide dirt trail the Hicks family hiked, dodging the occasional puddle from the showers, but focused on the task at hand. Lincoln, Luke, Lindsay, Logan, Laine, Liberty, Levi, Lydia, Leah and Louisa walked beside their parents, Rhonda and Steve Hicks, scouting trees Sunday just before dark and trying to find the perfect one to take home. "We go out tree hunting every year on Thanksgiving weekend," Rhonda Hicks explained as the children, ages 2 to 19, started darting toward possible options on the 16 acres at Wetzel's Tree Farm in Niles. "We make it a family tradition they can look back on." Families used that word, "tradition," again and again over the weekend as they crowded area nurseries and U-cut tree farms. Most opened their doors to customers late last week, anticipating the next few weekends to be their busiest. Gary Wetzel, who took over the business for his late father several years ago, expects sales to be even with last year. He has already seen familiar faces, so many people who have made a tradition of cutting down their tree at his Redfield Road tree farm for the past quarter of a century. "We see almost all families, with the occasional husband or father," Wetzel said. "But usually this is a group outing, and it's neat to see children who have been visiting us for so long grown up." Tom and Kim Swan started a new tradition this year, bringing 6-year-old Aidan and 4-year-old Layla to the farm to find their tree. No more artificial for them. While sucking on a candy cane, Aidan excitedly recounted how he cut the tree they selected down. He described the process as "easy -- you just saw it." His parents smiled. "He did most of it," Tom Swan said. "We're going to do this every year. They will only be little for so long, so we like the idea of doing it together as a family -- until they don't want to go anymore." If the Doyles of Granger are any indication, the Hicks family might be able to hold true to their newfound tradition for many years. Bill and Mary Lynn Doyle squeezed in a trip to Phil Maternowski's tree outlet, located outside Varner's Greenhouse and Nursery in Niles, on Sunday. "This one, Dad," shouted Claire, one of their four daughters who make the annual family outing. The girls chose their tree this year. The Doyles, who had already decorated their Granger home and yard with lights and decorations, just had to sneak in tree shopping before daughter Megan headed back to Notre Dame. The lack of snow proved no deterrent to the assignment. "I think it's easier to pick one out," said Mary Lynn Doyle. "It's cold, and the snow will come." The rain late Sunday sped up the process for Lissa and Clayton Bill of South Bend. Married less than two years, the couple shopped for their first pre-cut tree Sunday from Maternowski. They found the perfect size. Perfect shape. "But it's a little more than we wanted to spend, but it's still less than Chicago," Lissa Bill said, referring to buying trees where they used to live. Fraser fir trees were selling for $8 per foot at both Varner's and Wetzel's, while other varieties sold for less. "I just want the tree in our place," Clayton Bill added after the couple decided the perfect tree would be worth the price. "For that, we're willing to forgo the Christmas 'experience' this year." Consumers across the country spent less on Christmas trees in 2008, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. But Maternowski said his sales have grown steadily in the last few holiday seasons. He believes "tradition" is the answer. "I've sold more Christmas trees this weekend than I did Thanksgiving weekend last year," said Maternowski, who tugs at the white beard that makes him resemble Santa. "When times get tougher, people do the simple things. It's good to slow down and do something nice. I think people will save all year to make Christmas a go." Dave Razzano of Niles is a repeat customer out of the tradition Maternowski describes. He says the Santa-look-alike always helps him find the right tree that lasts through the New Year. On Sunday, he perched a 12-foot tree on top of his vehicle to take home to his wife, who was home baking. "That's right, where are my cookies?" Maternowski asked lightheartedly of his longtime customer as he secured the tree with twine. "We usually have a cookie deal worked out," Razzano whispered on the side. "Don't worry," he told Maternowski with a laugh, "we'll bring you back some." Staff writer Heidi Prescott: hprescott@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6070